The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-02-12
I'm Menrurian1.

Rachael Ray, with whom he lived more than
sixty three years, she having died in 1879.
They came to Knox county, Ohio. in 1877,
where they lived till 1868, when they moved
to Delaware county. 1t was while living in
Knox county that Mr.. Owen became men,
Der of the Universalist church; and though
living for long time where he had no OPP
portuuity to attend the church of his choice,
his faith was strong to the last. His funeral
was held in the Presbyterian church, near
his late home, and sermon preached by the
writer. The testimony of his neighbors was
to the effect that "Mr. Owen was good
man." strong temperance man, his voice
had sometimes been raised in public in be-
half of that sobriety which for many long
years he exemplifed in a life of total absti-
hence. -Four of his children are living, out
of a family of nine, only two of whom could
be present at the funeral. Long may the
virtues of the sturdy old pioneers be remem-
bered and emulated by their descendants.
II. L. CANFIELD.
In Huron, Erie county, O., January Is, 1887,
Mrs. Jane Crozier Graham, at the advanced
woman of great energy, learning and piety,
born in the north of Ireland, in the year
1906, of Scotch descent. Her ancestors, hav-
ing espoused the cause of Charles Edward,
the Preten1er, upon his defeat found it nee
essary to flee for safety, and found protec-
ton and shelter in Fermanaeh, one of the
northern counties of Ireland; and there Mrs.
Graham ua horn Houipr, he ctroprv oov,.
victions of the Scotch character, she tells in
an article written short time before her
decease, for publication after her death, of
her great struggles with her prejudices in
striving after more light. The following is
the letter referred to:
To the Editor of The Universalist::
have been a reader of your paper and its
predecessor the "Star in the West" for more
than forty years, having become subscriber
soon after its first issue. was born in Ire
land. My father, the Rev. Robert Crozier,
was Methodist minister. He was consid-
cred by his brethren man of talent and
piety. The itinerant system was followed by
the Methodist ministers of his time in Ire
land. There were few resident pastors, only
in the cities. My father was appointed to
the places where they sent their best talent
Doblin, Waterford, and, in short, to all the
large cities in the north of Ireland. l was
brought up in the Methodist society, and
when old enough to Judge for myself, be-
came member. My husband was also
member In the summer of 1884 we came
to this good land, my husband and / and five
children, and settled in Ohio, still religiously
believing the soul depressing, God dishonor-
ing doctrine of endless punishment.
We had neighbor, Mr.. John Hughes,
man of undoubted uprightness and integrity,
practicing all the Christian virtues but not
belonging to any church. This man had
| chance to examine the doctrine of Univers-
alism and accepted its teachings; and being
a benevolent man, he could not have his
| the blessing. He brought us books and pa
| pers. At first l feared to read, thinking
them a delusion of Satan. But after awhile,
| vaingloriously thinking myself well enough
| settled in Scripture and theology to set aside
their sophistry, began to read. l thought
then, ooh, if it was only true, how good it
would be for the human race!" From that
| time began to read, prayerfully, the Script
ures and everything could get for and against
the doctrine of Universalism. After long in
vestigation, became rejoicing believer.
had sat in the valley and shadow of death, and
now great light had come to me. The doc
trine of endless punishment had depressed
me all through my young life; and now I
could rejoice without doubt. Having passed
my fourscore years, am now waiting beside
the river, rejoicing in hope. My children,
who read your paper, will be pleased to hear
of their mothers hope, and perhaps some
weak one be strengthened.
JANE CRoz1ER GRAHAM.
Truly she "being dead yet speaketh" Her
son, who was constantly with her during her
last sickness, writes that she passed away
peacefully, folding her arms and going to
sleep, her last words being, 1.-THE Lord will
soon take me home" The funeral services
we're conducted by Rev. j. F. Rice, of Ohm
sted Falls, who gave touching and eloquent
discourse from the words of Paul, ITO live
is Christ, to die is gain" The strengthening
power of Mrs. Graham faith must be great
consolation to her children and friends in
their bereavement; and truly can it be said
that great and good woman has passed to
the land of spirits. Her decease has left a
void that cannot be filed. Her charity was
unbounded, her faith unsurpassed, beloved
by all who knew her. She was the mother of
thirteen children, six of whom, four daught-
ers and two sons, survive her and mourn her
loss, her husband having preceded her to the
spirit world about thirty years.
Monday, Jan. "a, 1887, in Vinland, Winnie
bago County, Wis, Samuel l.. Brooks, one
of the old pioneers of Winnebago County,
where he settled on the present homestead in
1872 He was one of the most honest men
that nature ever moulded, and one who had
done in long and useful life, more for the
good of others than any man probably in
proportion to his worldly wealth, in the sec
ton of the State where ne lived. He was
born in Redfeld, Oswego Co., N. Y, and
would have been eighty-two years old, the
ninth of July next. He built the first frame
house west of Lake Winnebago, hauling the
lumber from WATERFOWL. He often, for a
month"; at time never saw a white man.
His house was the stopping place of every
rowing band of Indians that came along the
trail which passed his house, and no dusky
visitor ever went away without as square
meal as the occasion afforded. Mr.. Brooks
and near, and the old men and young loved
to visit him and exhibit their good will. He
was the William Penn of that locality. As
explorers and home-seekers began to come
in, he opened his house and every room
thereof for their accommodation. He vir-
tually kept hotel, but no man seeking home
in that direction could ever pay him cent
for his hospitality. In 1847, for the benefit
of the neighborhood, he secured the establish
ment of post-office at his house, and was
appointed postmaster. With all its attendant
annoyances and without cent of pay, he